Beautifying Bell Buckle

During the recent winter months, a group of Boy Scouts and volunteers, led by Matthew Bettis, the 17-year-old son of Gregg and Karla Bettis of Bell Buckle, worked to plant 100 small trees and 400 saplings in a nursery area in Bell Buckle's park. The endeavor was Bettis' Eagle Scout Project. (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge]

The labors of a young man from Bell Buckle will pay off for years to come for the town's park and city streets.

The Eagle Scout project of Matthew Bettis, the 17-year-old son of Gregg and Karla Bettis, involved the planting of 100 small trees and 400 saplings in a nursery area in Bell Buckle park.

The saplings are to be transplanted throughout the park in the years to come as they mature and are also planned to serve as a source for future street plantings for the village.

The idea for the nursery was envisioned by Jere Hall, Matt's old boss, who came up with the idea for a place where the saplings could be planted and protected until they were ready to be moved into the park.

Matt liked the idea and it was perfect for the service project required for him to become an Eagle Scout. Bettis had to plan, develop and lead the project to demonstrate both his leadership and commitment.

The rank of Eagle Scout may be earned by a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout who serves as a Life Scout for at least six months, earns a minimum of 21 merit badges, demonstrates Scout Spirit and demonstrates leadership in the troop, team, crew or ship.

Those trying for the rank must then take part in a Scoutmaster conference before their 18th birthday. After all requirements are met, he also must complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

Bettis recruited the assistance of Tom Hall of the Division of Forestry with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, who procured the tree saplings and helped oversee the planting.

Funding for the project was provided by Jim Barnhart of the Duck River Electric Membership Corp. and members of the Bell Buckle park board helped coordinate the program.

Also helping out were scoutmaster Jack Ruttenbur, members from Scout Troop 416 of Murfreesboro plus parents and siblings joining in to help with the project.

The group turned up with shovels, wheelbarrows and cultivators on two cold, windy winter weekends ready to work. Matt's father and brother, Daniel, also joined the work crew while his mother delivered lunches to the hard working scouts.

As for the area for the tree nursery, it had to be prepared with a raised bed that would be beneficial for the young saplings. Despite the 20-degree weather, 100 holes were dug throughout the rest of the park where larger trees would be planted. Over the following weekend, which was even more cold and windy, the planting was completed

Five species of trees were chosen for the nursery; Pin Oak, Nuttal Oak, Shumard Oak, Bald Cypress and Water Tupelo, which are native to the area and have a high water tolerance that the park requires.

After last year's late freeze followed by the exceptional drought, many of the trees in the park did not survive. The newly planted foliage and the saplings growing in the nursery will ensure that there will be trees to plant in the future.